Parish and School News

ON Wednesday 16 October, John Paul College, a coeducational regional Catholic Secondary School in Frankston, celebrated the opening of its new performing arts centre.

In a moving ceremony, Bishop Elliot officially blessed and dedicated the new centre (named the Ngargee Centre) in front of special guests, local parish priests as well as staff and students of the college. The facility features a state of the art theatrette which seats up to 200 people and a custom designed space for music, drama and dance.

The facility has been officially named the Ngargee Centre in honour of the Boon wurrung people, the first custodians of the land on which the school is built.

Mrs Jane Tibb, College Principal said, “The word Ngargee actually means dance, ceremony, festival and that sits well with the specific purpose of this building. We know that the local Boon wurrung people use dance, drama and music to share their story, to worship and to communicate with each other. Our challenge is to use this centre to share our story, to worship our God and to communicate with each other.”

In his homily Bishop Elliot said, “Here young people will be invited to use the gifts they have received from the Creator and especially to enjoy those gifts with all the fun, energy and adventure of the performing arts… May the music, theatre, dance and other creative enterprises in this centre always glow with the light of what is good. May these activities always maintain what is true. Above all may they express what is beautiful, for that shows us a way home to God, who is always beautiful.”

The John Paul College mission statement starts with a verse from John’s Gospel – With Him is the fullness of life. The promise of fullness of life is about ensuring that College life has a faith basis and in doing that, recognises that faith filled people develop and share their talents. The Ngargee Centre certainly gives the school community the opportunity to showcase talents in the area of performing arts. It is a facility which will be enjoyed by staff and students as well as the wider school community.